A contract position is open at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution (USA) for someone to work on the INOTAXA project. The contractor must have web development and informatics skills and at least some knowledge of biological taxonomy. The INOTAXA (INtegrated Open TAXonomic Access) project is developing a web-based workspace where taxonomy-related information and data from different sources can be accessed together in a context required by the user.
The core of the system is taxonomic literature transformed into XML using a schema designed for the purpose (taXMLit - see http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/bca/status.cfm https://webaccess.si.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/bca/status.cfm ). The schema has been written to allow interoperability with information held in other relevant schemas, particularly ABCD, Darwin Core and TCS, so that taxon names and specimen data can be accessed with the literature. The project is discussed in greater detail at http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/bca/status.cfm https://webaccess.si.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/bca/status.cfm . The testbed taxonomic literature includes the Biologia Centrali-Americana (BCA), which the project has already made this available on the web in JPEG format, at http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/bca/ https://webaccess.si.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.sil.si.edu/digitalcollections/bca/ . Scripts are being produced to automate transformation of text to taXMLit format in a separate part of the project.
As with any project, a pilot implementation before production implementation has the benefit of increased likelihood of success, leveraging input from the domain experts and other prospective users, and optimizing the choice of technology solutions. Because this is a starting point of a multi-phase initiative, its successful implementation is critical. The pilot implementation will not only provide a reference for production implementation, but also facilitate the formulation of data exchange protocol for taxonomic information to allow interoperability with other systems (e.g., GBIF).
The prototype will include search, browse and display functionality, extending across all data types served. It will enable users to compare the position of taxa in different classifications derived from different resources within the system and displaying the result so users can move between these resources.
The products required from the successful applicant will be:
1. Detailed system and functional requirements documentation;
2. Complete system design documentation and system design review;
3. Mock up system(s) for technology and functionality verification; with specific elements:
a. Functioning SQL database;
b. Simple search of indexed fields;
c. Display of search result screens;
d. Navigation between screens on search results;
e. Image search;
f. Boolean search;
g. Tree browse;
h. Display and comparison of taxonomic classifications;
i. Access and display of multiple classifications of the same taxon;
j. Search and display of specimen data.
4. Complete pilot system hosting data from BCA and selected other sources.
Complete application package due 30 March 2007.
Anticipated start date: 1 May 2007, running for one year.
Payment and schedule subject to tender and negotiation.
The selected contractor must be enrolled in the CCR system located at http://www.ccr.gov http://www.ccr.gov/ .
For further information on the project, a full statement of work, application procedures, and applicable Smithsonian Institution Independent Contractor and Rights-in-Data Clauses please contact the INOTAXA Project Managers:
Anna Weitzman, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; e-mail: weitzman@si.edu; phone 1-202.633.0846 or Chris Lyal, The Natural History Museum, London; e-mail: c.lyal@nhm.ac.uk; phone 44-(0)207.942.5113
Anna L. Weitzman, PhD Informatics Branch Chief, ITO Informatics, Botany and Biodiversity Research National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution
202.633.0846 weitzman@si.edu